Manager Mike Scioscia said Monday his slugger is on track to begin a short, minor league rehabilitation assignment Thursday or Friday and could be activated to return to Los Angeles” lineup as soon as Memorial Day.

It will be the first games of any kind since April 15 for the eight-time All-Star and key to the Angels” lineup. Guerrero was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 18 with a torn right pectoral muscle. He missed his 28th game Monday, when the Angels played the Mariners, but before the game he took batting practice for the fourth consecutive day, ran the bases and did some running and agility drills.

“He picked up his workouts today,” Scioscia said.

Guerrero said he hasn”t been told when he can throw again and, thus, return to the outfield.

Scioscia said Guerrero will be a designated hitter only for the few games he”s likely to play through Sunday at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Red Sox await Youkilis” return

Kevin Youkilis didn”t care that he went hitless Monday in a rehab game with Triple-A Pawtucket against Buffalo.

He was more concerned about his health.

“For me it”s about staying healthy and at the end of the day if you feel good, that”s the key,” the Boston Red Sox first baseman said after Buffalo defeated Pawtucket, 9-2.

Youkilis was placed on Boston”s 15-day disabled list May 12, retroactive to May 5, with a strained oblique muscle.

Brewers” Weeks out for season

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks will miss the rest of the season because of a tear in his left wrist, a severe setback for the NL Central leaders.

Weeks, who had a similar injury to his right wrist in 2006, hurt himself while striking out Sunday in St. Louis. He left Busch Stadium wearing a brace and underwent an MRI exam Monday in Arizona that revealed the extent of the damage.

“We”re going to miss the guy,” manager Ken Macha said before Monday night”s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mets” Delgado to have hip surgery

New York Mets slugger Carlos Delgado will have arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his right hip, and there”s no immediate word on when he might return to the lineup.